The Caitlyn Tuning: A Deep Dive

Originating from the song 'Caitlyn' by Jank, this tuning presents a unique and evocative soundscape. It's a fantastic choice for guitarists looking to explore rich, full harmonies and melancholic, jazzy voicings without complex fretboard gymnastics. The open strings immediately deliver a sophisticated chord, making it inspiring for songwriting and improvisation.

Technical Analysis: D# Minor 7 Open Chord

The open tuning for 'Caitlyn' is configured as follows:

• String 6: D#3
• String 5: F#3
• String 4: C#4
• String 3: F#4
• String 2: A#4
• String 1: D#5

When strummed open, these notes form a beautiful and resonant D# minor 7 (D#m7) chord. Let's break down its structure:

• D#3 (String 6): The Root
• F#3 (String 5): The minor Third
• C#4 (String 4): The minor Seventh
• F#4 (String 3): An octave of the minor Third
• A#4 (String 2): The perfect Fifth
• D#5 (String 1): An octave of the Root

This arrangement provides a full, multi-octave voicing of D#m7, offering incredible depth and sustain. The inclusion of the minor seventh (C#) adds a distinctive bluesy or jazz-like quality, moving beyond a simple minor triad.

Chords and Playability

Given the open D#m7, this tuning excels at:

• Effortless Minor 7th Chords: Barring across any fret will instantly yield other minor 7th chords. For example, barring at the 1st fret creates an Em7 (from D#m7 moving up one semitone), the 3rd fret an F#m7, and so on. This makes navigating minor 7th progressions incredibly intuitive.
• Rich Drone Notes: The repeated D# and F# across different octaves provide excellent drone capabilities for atmospheric playing.
• Melodic Opportunities: The inherent minor 7th harmony provides a strong framework for melancholic or soulful melodies, especially using the D# minor scale or blues scales.
• Creative Voicings: Experimenting with adding just one or two fingers to the open strings can create sophisticated altered chords or inversions due to the rich starting point.

How to Tune to Caitlyn Tuning

To achieve the Caitlyn Tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the following instructions. Remember to tune slowly and check with a reliable tuner.

• String 6 (Lowest, Thickest - Target D#3): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 5 (Target F#3): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 4 (Target C#4): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 3 (Target F#4): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 2 (Target A#4): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 1 (Highest, Thinnest - Target D#5): Tune down 1 semitone.

Note: All string movements are within safe limits for standard gauge strings, as no string is tuned down more than 4 semitones.